Wat Arun
Explore the beautiful Wat Arun. This sacred place in Bangkok, Thailand is known for its remarkable Buddhist temple.
About the exhibit
This story is part of the Sacred Places exhibit at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, where you’ll get a glimpse into dozens of faith communities around the world. Visit the exhibit's website to learn more about Wat Arun or to explore other sites.
What is this place?
This is the prayer hall of the Wat Arun complex. Buddhist followers have come here for about 400 years to pray and pay respect to Buddha, the first teacher of Buddhism. Buddha is shown as a larger-than-life statue in the prayer hall.
Where is this place?
Wat Arun is located in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia.
Ceramic Ornamentation at Wat Arun (2022-12) by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and CyArkChildren's Museum of Indianapolis
Why was this place built?
Buddhists make offerings to practice generosity on their path to enlightenment. About 200 years ago, King Rama II built a set of glittering spires, called prangs, covered in porcelain and ceramic pieces as an offering to the Buddha at Wat Arun.
Across the River View of Wat Arun (2022-12) by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and CyArkChildren's Museum of Indianapolis
What makes this a sacred place?
The architecture of Wat Arun represents the universe according to Buddhist cosmology or worldview. Today, Buddhists visit the temple to pray and pay respect to Buddha. Wat Arun is also the site of a Buddhist monastery.
Offerings to Buddha (2022-09) by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and CyArkChildren's Museum of Indianapolis
What do Buddhists do at this place?
Buddhists study and practice the teachings of Buddha to reach enlightenment. Buddhists give offerings to Buddha to practice generosity. Buddha does not need offerings but giving them provides followers with the opportunity to purify themselves of negative traits like greediness.
Monks Praying at Wat Arun (2022-12) by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and CyArkChildren's Museum of Indianapolis
What do monks do at this place?
There is a Buddhist monastery at Wat Arun, which is a place where monks live, study, and practice Buddhism. The Wat Arun monks and novices recite morning and evening chants every day.
Why do the monks chant?
Chanting reminds the monks of the Triple Gem: Buddha, the teacher who shows the path to enlightenment; Dharma, the Buddha’s teachings; and Sangha, the monks who teach Buddha’s teachings. Chanting allows monks to meditate, which means to clear the mind and focus on the present.
Thank you to Phramaha Piyanat Soma, Phramaha Wachara Soma, Sanya Jitbunjong, Samanera Natthapol Duangjampa, Pitchaya Gleebsuwan, Kulajida Rakkanam, Ponpipat Rattanayanont, Kasidis Pimman, the Sangha and congregation of Wat Arun, Narudom Kaewchai, and CyArk.
Sacred Places is made possible by Lilly Endowment Inc.
